Mail-pouch trap.



Patented Nov. 5, 1912.

W. R. GREY. MAIL POUCH TRA'P. APPLIOATION FILED DEC. 26, 1911.

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COLUMBIA PLANOGRAPH c0.,wAsH|NGTcN, D c.

UNITE WILLIAM B. GREY, 0F GETTYSBURG, WASHINGTON.

MAIL-POUCH TRAP.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, WILLIAM It. GREY, a citizen of the United States, and a resident of Gettysburg, YVashington, hzwe invented certain new and useful Improvements in Mail-Pouch Traps, of which the following is a full, true, and exact specification.

The principal object of this invention is to provide simple and effective means for trapping and securely holding a mail pouch or the like which has been previously suspended from a moving car. I accomplish this result by means of the peculiar and novel arrangement and combination of the parts as will be more fully described in the following specification and shown in the accompanying drawings in which Figure 1 is a side elevation of the device set in its receiving or trapping position. Fig. 2, an enlarged side elevation, with parts broken away. Fig. 3, a similar view in plan. Fig. 4, a. fragmentary view of an ordinary mail pouch showing a means of attaching or suspending the same from amoving car.

Referring now more particularly to the drawings the reference character A designates in a general way a swinging frame composed of the upper and lower timbers 1 joined together by the cross pieces 2 and which is pivotally mounted upon the upright shaft 3, the lower end of which is firmly secured to the base 4, and which is preferably of concrete. Between the upper and lower timbers l is mounted the receptacle B which is preferably formed of wire mesh 1* and is pivoted upon the bolts 5.

Near the left hand end of the receptacle B is the rod 6 firmly secured to the floor and roof respectively of the receptacle B. Rigidly extending from the rod 6 is the bracket 7 on which is pivoted the trigger 8 the longer end of which extends partially across the mouth of the receptacle B and the shorter end hooked as at 9 to receive the end of the lever 10 pivoted at 11 to one of the cross pieces 2. Upon the rod 6 is pivoted the cover 12 which is normally held shut by the spring 13, one end of which is secured to the rod 6 and its opposite end 1 L pressing upon the cover 12, as will be understood. The receptacle B is provided with the spring lock 15.

From the foregoing it is believed that the construction and operation of my device will Specification of Letters Patent.

AppIication filed December 26, 1911.

Patented Nov. 5, 1912.

Serial No. 66?,933.

be fully understood by those skilled in the art.

An ordinary mail pouch 16, a fragment of which is shown in Fig. 1, is provided with the strap 17 to which is secured the curved spring fingers 18 which embrace the ball 19 secured to the chain 20 suspended from the arm 21 extending from the mail car. My device is swung into the position, and with the parts set, as shown in Fig. 1 the mouth of the receptacle B being in the path of the mail pouch 16. Upon contact of the moving pouch with the longer end of the trigger 8 the same is swung about its pivot and releases the lever 10 which in turnfrees the cover 12, which immediately closes upon the pouch 16, the yielding spring fingers 18 releasing their grip upon the ball 19 leaves the pouch 16 within the receptacle B, and securely locked by the spring lock 15. The chain 20 is purposely relatively slender, yet strong and the ball 19, due to its shape will withdraw itself from engagement with the spring fingers and finally out of the receptacle after it is closed, as above described, in case the spring fingers, from rust, dirt, or other causes, be stubborn in their release of the ball.

While I have shown but one mail receptacle, it will be understood that at the opposite end of the frame A may be a similar receptacle to receive a pouch from a train moving in the direction opposite to that just indicated, the frame A being swung upon its pivot 3 to bring into the path of the approaching mail pouch the proper receptacle.

While I have shown a particular form of embodiment of my invention I am aware that many changes in details thereof will readily suggest themselves to others skilled in the art without departing from the spirit and scope of my invention, and I do not therefore desire to be limited to the exact form shown and described.

Having described my invention, what I claim as new and desire to protect by Letters Patent is The combination in a mail pouch trapping device of a pivoted frame having a complete rotary movement, a receptacle in said frame and in the path of a mail pouch, means for removably suspending said pouch from a moving car, said means including spring finadapted to contact With said suspended pouch whereby said trigger is tripped.

\VILLIAM R. GREY.

gers upon said pouch, a relatively thin flexible connection suspended from the car and a ball suspended from said flexible connection, a hinged cover for said receptacle, a closing spring therefor, a trigger adapted to hold said cover extended With relation to said re ceptacle, and an extension from said trigger l Vitnesses I A. W. MAOKLE, R. D. MACKIE.

Copies of this patent may be obtained for five cents each, by addressing the Commissioner of Patents, Washington, I). G. 

